Tough battles on tap in regional semifinals
Here is a game-by-game breakdown of all 13 UIL regional semifinal matchups involving Houston-area teams.
REGION II-6A DIVISION I DUNCANVILLE (11-0) VS. THE WOODLANDS (10-2)
When/where: 3 p.m. Saturday, Pflugerville Stadium
The Woodlands has been on fire lately, blowing out Nimitz and Klein Cain in the first two rounds of the playoffs. But the road gets considerably tougher this week as the Highlanders face off against No. 8 nationally ranked Duncanville. Duncanville, last year’s state runner-up, rolled past Bryan and Wylie to reach the regional semifinals for the fifth consecutive season. The Panthers have outscored their opponents 523-111 this season and have won every game by at least two scores. The Woodlands has won eight straight games and has scored 60-plus points in six of those contests. They are back in the third round for the first time since 2019.
REGION II-6A DIVISION I WESTFIELD (11-1) VS. WAXAHACHIE (10-2)
When/where: 2 p.m. Saturday, Hutto Memorial Stadium
Westfield was finally tested last week against a strong Klein Collins team, and the Mustangs prevailed with a 41-38 victory. Westfield has won nine consecutive games and is playing in the regional semifinals for the seventh straight season. The Mustangs will have another worthy challenger this week with Waxahachie. The Indians finished behind Duncanville and DeSoto in one of the toughest districts in the state, so they are no ordinary third-place team. Waxahachie is making its first regional semifinals appearance since 2017 after defeating Temple and Rockwall by nine and seven points, respectively, in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
REGION III-6A DIVISION I CINCO RANCH (9-3) VS. NORTH SHORE (12-0)
When/where: 2:30 p.m. Friday, Rhodes Stadium
Cinco Ranch is riding a wave of momentum after knocking off Cy-Fair last week in the area round. Santiago Taborda handed his team the 13-10 victory with a 45-yard field goal as time expired. The Cougars are back in the regional semifinals for a second straight season. North Shore, meanwhile, was tested last week as well during a 43-34 victory over Dickinson. The No. 10 nationally ranked Mustangs are in the third round of the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season. While it remains to be seen whether starting quarterback Kaleb Bailey will return from injury at some point, North Shore still looks the part of a state title contender without him.
REGION III-6A DIVISION I RIDGE POINT (10-2) VS. ATASCOCITA (10-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Cy-Fair FCU Stadium
Ridge Point will be looking for a little payback against Atascocita after falling to the Eagles in a 24-21 regional semifinal thriller last season. The Panthers have won 10 consecutive games, including a gritty double-overtime victory against Tompkins in the bi-district round and a 14-10 triumph over Lamar last week. Atascocita is back in the third round of the playoffs for the eighth straight season. The Eagles rolled to decisive victories over Deer Park and Clear Springs over the past two weeks. Atascocita is certainly potent offensively, but the team’s defense has also delivered this season, holding opponents to 8.6 points per outing.
REGION II-6A DIVISION II DEKANEY (9-3) VS. HARKER HEIGHTS (11-1)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday; McLane Stadium, Waco
Dekaney is making just the second regional semifinals appearance in program history. The first time was back in 2011, when the Wildcats won a state championship. Dekaney routed Oak Ridge in the bi-district round before taking down a district champion Cypress Falls team by two scores last week. The Wildcats have won seven straight games since losing to Westfield on Sept. 30. Harker Heights is enjoying a renaissance as well, reaching the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2002. The Knights, the champions of District 12-6A, have won eight straight games and have matched the program record for victories in a season.
REGION II-6A DIVISION II TOMBALL (8-4) VS. DESOTO (10-2)
When/where: 4 p.m. Friday, Pflugerville Stadium
Tomball has summoned some postseason magic once again. The Cougars, who finished third in District 15-6A, have returned to the regional semifinals for a second straight year after knocking off a previously undefeated New Caney team, 16-15, in the area round. Tomball has a massive challenge this week against DeSoto. The Eagles’ only losses have come against Duncanville and St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, which are ranked Nos. 8 and 9 in the country, respectively. DeSoto is playing in the regional semifinals for the third straight season after rolling past Pflugerville Weiss and Rockwall Heath in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
REGION III-6A DIVISION II KATY (12-0) VS. SUMMER CREEK (8-4)
When/where: 2 p.m. Friday, Turner Stadium
Katy, ranked No. 16 in the country, opened the playoffs with dominating victories over Clements and Memorial. The Tigers will get perhaps their toughest test of the season this week against a battle-tested Summer Creek squad. The Bulldogs took down a previously unbeaten Shadow Creek team in the area round and will be looking to avenge a 34-31 loss to Katy in last year’s regional championship game. Three of the top running backs in the Houston area will be featured in this game with Seth Davis and Dallas Glass leading the charge for the Tigers, and Lloyd Avant continuing to be the catalyst for Summer Creek.
REGION III-6A DIVISION II HIGHTOWER (10-2) VS. C.E. KING (8-4)
When/where: 1 p.m. Friday, Pridgeon Stadium
Hightower is back in the regional semifinals for the third consecutive season after playoff victories over Morton Ranch and Heights. The Hurricanes, playing in Class 6A for the first time since 2017, have won eight consecutive games. The team’s only two losses this season came against Westfield and Ridge Point, which are both still alive as well. C.E. King finished fourth in District 21-6A this year, but the Panthers have looked every bit like a regional title contender with blowout victories over Channelview and Clear Falls. C.E. King is chasing history. The program has never advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs since its inaugural season in 1957.
REGION III-5A DIVISION I FULSHEAR (11-1)
VS. SMITHSON VALLEY (11-1)
When/where: 1 p.m. Friday; Matador Stadium, Seguin
Fulshear’s historic season continues. The Chargers are the lone team remaining from District 10-5A Division I after pulling out a victory against A&M Consolidated last week. The team’s offense has not slowed down in the playoffs, posting 66 and 50 points over the first two rounds. Fulshear is averaging just over 50 points per game for the season. Smithson Valley has plenty of momentum entering this matchup as well with 10 consecutive victories under its belt. The Rangers’ only loss this season came against Harker Heights in Week 2. Smithson Valley is aiming to break through to the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
REGION III-5A DIVISION II FORT BEND MARSHALL (11-1) VS. LAKE CREEK (12-0)
When/where: 1 p.m. Friday, Delmar Stadium
Perennial power Fort Bend Marshall will certainly be tested this week against a Lake Creek team making its longest playoff run. Marshall has won 10 consecutive games and is back in the regional semifinals for the sixth time in seven years. The Buffalos rolled past Huntsville and Waco University in the first two rounds. Lake Creek, playing its fifth varsity season, was dominant from start to finish last week during a 78-19 victory over Leander Rouse. The Lions are averaging 56 points per game. Texas City, their first-round playoff opponent, was responsible for the lowest point total of the year at 25. The team has scored at least 42 in every other contest.
REGION III-3A DIVISION I COLUMBUS (11-1) VS. CAMERON YOE (9-3)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Bastrop Memorial Stadium
Columbus is back in the regional semifinals for the third consecutive season after beating Lorena and Diboll in the first two rounds. The Cardinals, winners of four straight, are looking to break through to the regional final for the third time in four years. They have outscored their opponents 495-142 this season. With a potential rematch with district rival Hitchcock on the line, Columbus will need to take care of business against a Yoe team that has suffered just one loss since Sept. 23. The Yoemen are playing in the third round for the first time since 2019 and are hoping to reach a regional championship game for the first time since 2016.
REGION III-3A DIVISION I FRANKLIN (12-0) VS. HITCHCOCK (11-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Woodforest Bank Stadium
Hitchcock is playing in the regional semifinals for just the second time in program history, joining the 2014 squad. The Bulldogs have never advanced further, however. Hitchcock pulled out one-score victories over Little River Academy and Woodville in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Now the Bulldogs will tangle with a Franklin program that won the Class 3A Division II state championship last season, the first in program history. The Lions are hoping to break through to a regional title game for a third consecutive season. Franklin defeated Hallettsville and Anahuac in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
REGION IV-3A DIVISION II BRAZOS (9-3) VS. TIDEHAVEN (10-2)
When/where: 2 p.m. Friday, Freedom Field
This game will be a rematch between District 14-3A rivals. Brazos, the fourth-place team, will be looking to get some payback on Tidehaven, the district champion, after losing 33-13 during the regular season. Brazos is making just the third regional semifinals appearance in program history and first since 2018. The Cougars edged Lexington in the first round before routing Hebbronville in the second. Tidehaven, meanwhile, has won eight consecutive games and rolled to playoff wins over Clifton and Nixon-Smiley. The Tigers are looking to break through to the fourth round for the first time since 2018.